Funding of £600m will be provided to NHS Trusts across the country for refurbishment.
Staff, patients, and visitors across all regions in England will be benefitting from the funding that will see new or refurbished hospital buildings, new electric, upgraded ventilation systems, new hospital lifts, and improved fire safety.
A total of 178 NHS Trusts will receive a share of the funding to cover 1,800 maintenance projects which will be completed by March 2021.
Improving UK hospitals
The investment is part of £1.5bn capital funding to build an NHS for the future, including plans to modernise mental health facilities, expand A&E capacity, and improve infection control ahead of winter.
Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Matt Hancock said: “Alongside delivering on our manifesto commitment to build 40 new hospitals and 20 major hospital upgrades across the country, this investment will help our NHS build back better. These crucial maintenance projects will deliver immediate benefits and provide NHS staff with the facilities they need to provide world-class care to their patients this winter, helping ensure the NHS is always there for you when you need it.”
The funding is on top of an additional £450m investment from government to improve hospital A&Es this winter by expanding waiting areas and increasing the number of treatment cubicles, helping to boost A&E capacity by providing additional space, reducing overcrowding, and improving infection control measures.
£1.2 billion has also been ring-fenced after last month’s spending review that will go towards new NHS hospitals and upgrades in 2021/22, plus £4.2bn for NHS operational capital funding and the Treasury has also committed an additional £235m for hospital maintenance works for the next financial year beginning in April 2021. The Government has said there will also be a further boost for technology and digital projects including AI labs and remote GP appointments, diagnostic equipment, and a science hub.
